Non-fiction


Children of a retired God is a provocative look at the state of the black world from the pivotal angle of an African exile. For 20 years, Rudolf Okonkwo has written about Nigeria, Africa and the black world in a voice that is compassionate, hilarious, and yet, full of outrage.

He draws upon his timeless work to probe the crises of existence within the black world. Using Nigeria as a primary example, he chronicles the travails of the people of African descent- especially as it relates to their place in the world.

Okonkwo is alarmed at the lack of reflection, the repetition of errors, and the absence of accountability. When he is skeptical in his perception, he is informed in his summation.

Even for readers who are removed from the news that inspired each column, either by geography or time, Okonkwo succeeds in bringing to life the story behind the news he is succinct, funny, and perfectly illustrates his point.

He dramatizes complex situations with piercing caricatures of characters who have towered above Africa, some building and some ruining the lives of millions. His conjectures are factual, his polical satires are poignant, and the results are devastating to anyone who cares.

In a way, Okonkwo presents a tragicomic picture of the black world that is both of substance and of grace. His binoculars are able to see the issues in an incisive way, exposing the hidden agendas of the operatives, the absurdities of the audience, and the obsessions of the reporters.